All Varanasi temples
49 temples
VaranasiBharat Mata Mandir, Varanasi: The Temple With a Marble Map of Mother India
The complete, first-hand guide to the Bharat Mata Mandir, the unique temple that holds no idol, only a great marble relief map of undivided India, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the story of the map, its history under Gandhi, and how to fit this remarkable monument into your day.
VaranasiKardameshwar Mahadev Temple, Varanasi: The Oldest Surviving Temple and Panchakroshi Start
The complete, first-hand guide to the Kardameshwar Mahadev Temple at Kandwa, widely regarded as the oldest surviving temple in Varanasi and the first halt of the Panchakroshi Yatra, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the medieval stone architecture, the legends, and how to reach this quiet heritage gem.
VaranasiMrityunjay Mahadev Temple, Varanasi: Timings, the Healing Well and Jaap Booking
The complete, first-hand guide to the Shri Mahamrityunjay Mahadev Temple in Daranagar, the shrine of Shiva as the conqueror of death, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and aartis, the story of the Dhanvantari healing well, and how to book a Maha Mrityunjaya Jaap or Rudrabhishek here.
VaranasiKashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi: Darshan Timings, Aarti Schedule, Rudrabhishek and Assisted Darshan
The complete, first-hand guide to darshan at the Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga from a Varanasi local, with exact timings, the five daily aartis, honest Sugam and Rudrabhishek booking help, and a clear path past the queue and the touts.
VaranasiSarnath, Varanasi: Dhamek Stupa, Timings, Entry Fee and Visiting Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and entry fees for the Dhamek Stupa and archaeological area, what to see, the museum and the light and sound show, and how to combine it with the ghats in one day.
VaranasiDurga Kund (Durga Mandir), Varanasi: Timings, Aarti and a Local's Visiting Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the striking red Durga temple beside the sacred Durga Kund, from a Varanasi local, with exact timings, the aartis, the Navratri crowd reality, the famous monkeys, and how to fit it into the southern temple cluster.
VaranasiTulsi Manas Mandir, Varanasi: Timings, Aarti and a Local's Visiting Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the white marble temple where Tulsidas is believed to have composed the Ramcharitmanas, from a Varanasi local, with exact timings, the aartis, what to see inside, and how to combine it with the southern temple cluster.
VaranasiSankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Varanasi: Darshan Timings, Aarti Schedule and a Local's Visiting Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to darshan at the temple Tulsidas founded, from a Varanasi local, with exact timings, the aartis, the Tuesday and Saturday reality, the security rules, and how to fit it neatly into your Kashi trip.
VaranasiVishalakshi Temple, Varanasi: The Shakti Peetha, Timings and Darshan Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Vishalakshi Gauri Temple at Mir Ghat, one of the Shakti Peethas of Kashi where the earrings of Sati are said to have fallen, from a Varanasi local, with the darshan and aarti timings, its South Indian heritage, and how to combine it with Kashi Vishwanath.
VaranasiRatneshwar Mahadev Temple, Varanasi: The Leaning Temple, Timings and Visiting Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple, the famous leaning, half submerged Shiva shrine on the Varanasi riverfront, from a Varanasi local, with the darshan and aarti timings, the mystery of the tilt, the legends behind it, and the best time and way to see it.
VaranasiNepali Temple (Kathwala Temple), Varanasi: Timings and a Local's Visiting Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Nepali Temple at Lalita Ghat, the wooden Pashupatinath in Kashi built by a king of Nepal, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the story of its carvings, the rules that matter, and how to find this hidden gem by the river.
VaranasiMaa Sankata Devi Temple, Varanasi: Timings, Aarti and Darshan Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Maa Sankata Devi Temple above Scindia Ghat, the revered Siddh Peeth of the goddess who removes sorrows, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and aarti schedule, the legends, the special Friday worship, and how to reach it through the old city lanes.
VaranasiTulsi Ghat, Varanasi: The Home of Tulsidas, Lolark Kund and Heritage Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to Tulsi Ghat, the quiet, culturally rich ghat where the poet-saint Tulsidas lived and wrote the Ramcharitmanas, from a Varanasi local, with his preserved house and relics, the ancient Lolark Kund, the living festivals of the ghat, and how to visit.
VaranasiDashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi: Ganga Aarti Timings, Boat Views and Visiting Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the grand evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, from a Varanasi local, with the seasonal timings, every way to watch it, honest boat prices, the scams to avoid, and how to see it at its best from the water.
VaranasiTrilochan Mahadev Dham, Jaunpur: Timings, Darshan and How to Reach From Varanasi
The complete, first-hand guide to the Trilochan Mahadev Dham, the ancient self manifested Shiva temple near the Varanasi border, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and aartis, the legends of the growing lingam, the Pilpila Sarovar, and how to visit as a short trip from Varanasi or the airport.
VaranasiShri Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev Temple, Varanasi: Timings, the Growing Lingam and Darshan Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Shri Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev Temple in Sonarpura, famous for the self manifested Shiva lingam said to grow by a sesame seed each year, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and aartis, the legends, the rare Ayyappan shrine, and how to book a Jalabhishek or Rudrabhishek.
VaranasiShri Batuk Bhairav Temple, Varanasi: Timings, the Eternal Lamp and Darshan Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Shri Batuk Bhairav Temple in Bhelupur, the shrine of the gentle child form of Bhairav, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and aartis, the story of the centuries old eternal lamp, the sacred dogs, the Tantric traditions, and how to take darshan and arrange a puja.
VaranasiISKCON Varanasi (Sri Sri Radha Gopal Ji): Timings, Aarti and Visiting Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to ISKCON Varanasi, the Sri Sri Radha Gopal Ji temple on Durgakund Road, a calm and welcoming Hare Krishna temple, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and aarti schedule, the kirtan and prasadam, the festivals, and how to fit it into your visit.
VaranasiNew Vishwanath Temple (BHU), Varanasi: Timings, Aarti and a Local's Visiting Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the towering white marble Birla Temple inside the Banaras Hindu University campus, a serene replica of Kashi Vishwanath open to all, from a Varanasi local, with the official aarti schedule, what to see, and how to combine it with the southern temple cluster.
VaranasiPanchganga Ghat, Varanasi: The Ghat of Five Rivers, Dev Deepawali and Boat Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to Panchganga Ghat, the sacred meeting point of five rivers and the birthplace of Dev Deepawali, from a Varanasi local, with the legend of the five rivers, the Kartik sky lamps, the great saints of the ghat, and how to visit by boat.
VaranasiLaat Bhairav (Kapal Bhairav) Temple, Varanasi: Timings and Darshan Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Laat Bhairav, or Kapal Bhairav, temple, one of the eight guardian Bhairavs of Kashi, worshipped in the rare form of an ancient stone pillar, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the story of the pillar, and how to take darshan of the three Bhairavs together.
VaranasiBindu Madhav Temple, Varanasi: Timings, Vishnu Darshan and How to Reach
The complete, first-hand guide to the Bindu Madhav Temple above Panchganga Ghat, the great Vishnu shrine of Kashi and one of its three presiding deities, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and aartis, the layered history, the Panchatirthi pilgrimage, and how to reach it by boat or on foot.
VaranasiSakshi Vinayak Temple, Varanasi: The Witness Ganesha, Timings and Darshan
The complete, first-hand guide to the Sakshi Vinayak shrine in Vishwanath Gali, the witness Ganesha of Kashi whose darshan bears witness to a pilgrim's sacred journey, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the meaning of the witness, its place in the Panchakroshi Yatra, and how to visit alongside Kashi Vishwanath.
VaranasiKedar Ghat and the Gauri Kedareshwar Temple, Varanasi: Timings, Darshan and Ritual Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to Kedar Ghat, one of the most colourful and sacred ghats of Kashi, and its Gauri Kedareshwar Temple, the Kedarnath of Varanasi, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and aartis, the self-manifest rock lingam, Gauri Kund, and how to take darshan or book a ritual.
VaranasiAdi Keshava Temple, Varanasi: Timings, Vishnu Darshan and How to Reach
The complete, first-hand guide to the Adi Keshava Temple at the Varuna and Ganga confluence, the first Vishnu of Kashi and one of the oldest temples in the city, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and aartis, the legend of Vishnu's first footstep, the Sangameshwar linga, and how to reach this peaceful northern shrine.
VaranasiChet Singh Ghat, Varanasi: The Fort, the Dev Deepawali Laser Show and Boat Booking
The complete, first-hand guide to Chet Singh Ghat, the historic 18th-century fort ghat where Raja Chet Singh defied the British, and the setting of the great Dev Deepawali laser and sound show on the fort walls, from a Varanasi local, with the history, the festival schedule, and how to book the best boat view.
VaranasiHarishchandra Ghat, Varanasi: The Sacred Cremation Ghat of Truth
A respectful, first-hand guide to Harishchandra Ghat, one of the two sacred cremation grounds of Kashi and the original Adi Manikarnika, from a Varanasi local, with the legend of the truthful King Harishchandra, the meaning of moksha, and how to visit this solemn place with reverence.
VaranasiNamo Ghat, Varanasi: The Namaste Sculptures, Timings, Aarti and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to Namo Ghat, Varanasi's striking new riverfront with its giant folded-hands Namaste sculptures, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and its own Ganga aarti, the modern accessible design, and why this clean, uncrowded ghat is a wonderful and easy place to enjoy the Ganga.
VaranasiDarbhanga Ghat, Varanasi: The Palace Ghat, BrijRama and Boat Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to Darbhanga Ghat, one of the most beautiful and photographed ghats of Kashi, with its grand palace, the heritage BrijRama Palace, from a Varanasi local, with the history, the best times to visit, a fine view of the Ganga aarti, and how to see it by boat.
VaranasiRamnagar Fort, Varanasi: Timings, Museum, Ramlila and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to Ramnagar Fort, the 18th-century riverside palace of the Maharaja of Banaras across the Ganga, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and entry, the eclectic Saraswati Bhawan museum and its astronomical clock, the world-famous Ramnagar Ramlila, and how to visit by road or boat.
VaranasiAnnapurna Devi Temple, Varanasi: Timings, Aarti and the Goddess of Nourishment Darshan Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the temple of the goddess who feeds even Shiva, right beside Kashi Vishwanath, from a Varanasi local, with exact timings, the aartis, the golden idol shown once a year, the grains of wealth prasad, and the free food tradition.
VaranasiLolark Kund, Varanasi: The Ancient Sun Stepwell and Lolark Shashthi Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to Lolark Kund, the ancient sun stepwell of Kashi dedicated to Lolark Aditya, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the story of this deep sacred well, the great Lolark Shashthi festival of couples seeking a child, and how to visit near Assi and Tulsi Ghats.
VaranasiBharat Kala Bhavan, Varanasi: Timings, Collections and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to Bharat Kala Bhavan, one of the oldest and finest art museums in India, on the Banaras Hindu University campus, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and entry, the highlights of its great collection of paintings, sculptures and treasures, and how to visit.
VaranasiShri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan Mandir, Varanasi: The Golden Birthplace Temple and Pilgrimage Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan Mandir at Seer Govardhanpur, the gold-domed birthplace temple of Sant Guru Ravidas and the premier pilgrimage of the global Ravidassia community, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the story of the saint and the temple, its message of equality, and how to visit.
VaranasiTrilochaneshwar Mahadev Temple, Trilochan Ghat, Varanasi: Timings and Darshan Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Trilochaneshwar Mahadev Temple at Trilochan Ghat, the ancient three-eyed Shiva of Kashi and one of its oldest and most revered lingas, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and aartis, the sacred Pilpila tirtha, the scriptural glory of this shrine, and how to visit.
VaranasiSarnath Archaeological Museum, Varanasi: The Lion Capital, Timings and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Sarnath Archaeological Museum, the oldest site museum in India and home to the original Lion Capital of Ashoka, India's national emblem, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and entry, the great treasures of the collection, and how to visit on a Sarnath day.
VaranasiMulagandha Kuti Vihar, Sarnath: Timings, the Frescoes, the Relics and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar at Sarnath, the beautiful modern Buddhist temple built by Anagarika Dharmapala in 1931, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the magnificent frescoes of the Buddha's life, the sacred relics, the descendant of the Bodhi tree, and how to visit alongside the great Sarnath monuments.
VaranasiVishwa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda), Sarnath: Timings and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa at Sarnath, the World Peace Pagoda that is also a faithful replica of the great ancient stupa of Sanchi, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the meaning of the peace stupa, the carved gateway and Ashoka pillar, and how to visit alongside the Japanese Temple.
VaranasiThai Temple (Wat Thai), Sarnath: The Giant Standing Buddha, Timings and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Thai Temple, Wat Thai, at Sarnath, a serene piece of Thailand with a giant standing Buddha and beautiful gardens, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the Thai architecture, the great statue, the lotus ponds, and how to visit on a Sarnath day.
VaranasiChaukhandi Stupa, Sarnath: Timings, History and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Chaukhandi Stupa at Sarnath, the ancient monument marking where the Buddha met his first five disciples, from a Varanasi local, with the timings and entry, the story of the meeting, the rare blend of a Gupta stupa and a Mughal tower, and how to visit it on a Sarnath day.
VaranasiSant Ravidas Ghat, Varanasi: The Cruise and Boat Gateway to the Ganga Aarti
The complete, first-hand guide to Sant Ravidas Ghat, the southernmost and one of the largest ghats of Varanasi, named for the great saint of equality and the city's main cruise and boat boarding point, from a Varanasi local, with the saint's story, the cruise options, how to see the aarti from the water, and how to visit.
VaranasiTibetan Temple, Sarnath: The Prayer Wheels, Thangkas, Timings and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Tibetan Temple at Sarnath, a serene Tibetan Buddhist monastery with a golden Shakyamuni Buddha, prayer wheels and beautiful Thangkas, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the meaning of the prayer wheels, the pink stupa of gratitude, and how to visit on a Sarnath day.
VaranasiScindia Ghat, Varanasi: The Quiet Riverfront, Timings and a Local's Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to Scindia Ghat, the calm, photogenic ghat on the northern riverfront, from a Varanasi local, with its history under the Scindia kings of Gwalior, the hidden shrines in the lanes above, the best time for a sunrise visit, and the famous leaning temple that stands just beside it.
VaranasiBurmese (Myanmar) Temple, Sarnath: Timings, the Theravada Tradition and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Burmese Buddhist Temple at Sarnath, one of the oldest of its modern temples, established in 1910, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the Theravada tradition, the serene Burmese Buddha, and how to visit this peaceful haven on a Sarnath day.
VaranasiJapanese Temple (Horinji), Sarnath: The Sandalwood Reclining Buddha, Timings and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Japanese Temple, the Nichigai Suzan Horinji, at Sarnath, a serene piece of Kyoto with a fragrant sandalwood reclining Buddha, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the Japanese architecture, the great statue, the World Peace Stupa next door, and how to visit on a Sarnath day.
VaranasiMan Mandir Ghat and the Jantar Mantar Observatory, Varanasi: Timings and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to Man Mandir Ghat, the riverside Rajput palace of Raja Man Singh crowned by Sawai Jai Singh's stone observatory, the Jantar Mantar of Kashi, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the astronomical instruments, the carved balconies, and one of the finest views of the Ganga aarti.
VaranasiChinese Temple (Cheeni Mandir), Sarnath: The Hiuen-Tsang Map, Timings and Visit Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the Chinese Buddhist Temple, the Cheeni Mandir, at Sarnath, a tranquil red-and-gold temple famous for its map of the great pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang's journey, from a Varanasi local, with the timings, the Chinese architecture, the story of the scholar who helped rediscover Sarnath, and how to visit.
VaranasiKaal Bhairav Temple, Varanasi: Timings, Aarti and the Kotwal of Kashi Darshan Guide
The complete, first-hand guide to the temple of the fierce guardian of Kashi, from a Varanasi local, with exact timings, the aartis, the black thread ritual, the legend, and why no Kashi pilgrimage is complete without his darshan.
VaranasiManikarnika Ghat, Varanasi: The Great Cremation Ground and How to Visit With Respect
A respectful, first-hand guide to Manikarnika, the holiest cremation ground in India and the place where Hindus believe the soul finds moksha, from a Varanasi local, with the meaning of the rituals, the etiquette that matters most, and honest guidance on the scams to avoid.
Kashi Vishwanath: the heart of Varanasi
At the very heart of Kashi, and of the faith of every devotee of Shiva, is the Kashi Vishwanath temple, the shrine of Vishwanath, the Lord of the Universe, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the self-manifest lingams of light, and the holiest of all the temples of Shiva.
It is the goal of the whole Kashi pilgrimage, and, with the grand new Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor that now opens the temple to the Ganga, its darshan is the first every pilgrim seeks. Begin here.
The great Shiva temples of Kashi
Kashi is a city of Shiva above all, and it holds his great temples beyond number, each a Mahadev of its own. Chief among them, after Vishwanath, is the Mrityunjay Mahadev, the conqueror of death; and there are the ancient Kardameshwar, the Trilochan of the three eyes, the Tilbhandeshwar, the leaning Ratneshwar, the Kedareshwar of Kedar Ghat, and the great new Vishwanath temple at the Banaras Hindu University.
Mrityunjay Mahadev
The conqueror of death; sought against untimely death.
Kardameshwar Mahadev
One of the oldest temples of Kashi, on the Panchkroshi route.
Trilochan Mahadev
The three-eyed Shiva, an ancient Mahadev of Kashi.
Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev
The Shiva said to grow by a sesame seed each day.
Ratneshwar Mahadev
The famous leaning temple by the Ganga.
Kedareshwar Mahadev
The Shiva of Kedar Ghat, on the southern reach of the river.
New Vishwanath Temple (BHU)
The great Birla temple at the Banaras Hindu University.
The Bhairavs: the guardians of Kashi
Kashi is guarded by the fierce forms of Shiva, the Bhairavs. Chief among them is the Kaal Bhairav, the Kotwal, the police-chief of the holy city, whose leave every pilgrim must seek; and there are the Batuk Bhairav and the Lat Bhairav, the guardians of the quarters.
The Devi temples of Kashi
Kashi honours the Mother in her many forms: the Vishalakshi, the wide-eyed goddess, a Shakti Peeth where an earring of Sati fell; the Annapurna, the goddess of food, who feeds all Kashi; the Durga of Durga Kund; and the Sankata Devi, the reliever of troubles.
Vishalakshi Temple
A Shakti Peeth of Kashi, where an earring of Sati fell.
Annapurna Devi Temple
The goddess of food and plenty, who feeds all Kashi.
Durga Kund Mandir
The great Durga temple by its sacred kund.
Sankata Devi Temple
The goddess who relieves troubles and distress.
The other great deities of Kashi
Kashi holds too the temples of the other great deities: the Sankat Mochan, the beloved Hanuman temple founded by Tulsidas; the Sakshi Vinayak, the witness-Ganesha; the Adi Keshava, an ancient Vishnu at the meeting of the Varuna and the Ganga; and the Bindu Madhav, the presiding Vishnu of Kashi on the Panchganga Ghat.
Sankat Mochan Hanuman
The beloved Hanuman temple founded by Tulsidas.
Sakshi Vinayak
The witness-Ganesha, who records a pilgrim's visit to Kashi.
Adi Keshava
The ancient Vishnu at the meeting of the Varuna and the Ganga.
Bindu Madhav
The presiding Vishnu of Kashi, on the Panchganga Ghat.
Tulsi Manas Mandir
The temple of the Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas.
ISKCON Temple
The Krishna temple of the ISKCON tradition.
The Ganga ghats of Varanasi
The soul of Kashi is the Ganga and her ghats, the great flights of steps that line the river for miles, where the whole life of the holy city, and its death, is lived. Chief among them is the Dashashwamedh Ghat, where the grand Ganga aarti is performed each evening; and the Assi Ghat of the morning; and the Manikarnika, the great cremation ghat, where the fire of moksha never dies.
Along the river run the many storied ghats, of the kings and the saints and the sages.
Dashashwamedh Ghat
The main ghat and the grand evening Ganga aarti of Kashi.
Assi Ghat
The southern ghat, of the morning aarti and the Subah-e-Banaras.
Manikarnika Ghat
The great cremation ghat, where the fire of moksha never dies.
Harishchandra Ghat
The other ancient cremation ghat, of the legend of Harishchandra.
Panchganga Ghat
The ghat of the five rivers, with the Bindu Madhav.
Kedar Ghat
The ghat of the Kedareshwar Shiva.
Man Mandir Ghat
The ghat of Raja Man Singh's palace and observatory.
Tulsi Ghat
The ghat of the poet-saint Tulsidas.
Scindia Ghat
The ghat of the Scindias, with its half-sunken Shiva shrine.
Darbhanga Ghat
The grand palace-ghat of the kings of Darbhanga.
Chet Singh Ghat
The fortress-ghat of Raja Chet Singh of Banaras.
Namo Ghat
The newest ghat of the riverfront, of the great folded-hands sculptures.
Ravidas Ghat
The southern ghat named for the great saint Ravidas.
Trilochan Ghat
The northern ghat of the three-eyed Shiva.
The Ganga aarti: the great evening ritual
Above all the sights of Kashi is the Ganga aarti, the grand ritual of worship offered to Mother Ganga each evening at the Dashashwamedh Ghat, when the young priests in their rows raise the great flaming lamps to the river in a slow, majestic dance of fire and chant and bell, and thousands watch from the steps and the boats.
A gentler aarti is offered at the Assi Ghat, with the Subah-e-Banaras welcoming the dawn. To see the Ganga aarti is the unforgettable heart of any visit to Kashi.
Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh
The grand evening aarti, with its rows of priests and great flaming lamps.
Morning aarti at Assi Ghat
The gentler dawn aarti and the Subah-e-Banaras.
Sarnath: where the Buddha first taught
A short way from Kashi is Sarnath, one of the four holiest places of the Buddhist world; for it was here, in the deer park, that Lord Buddha, after his enlightenment, first turned the Wheel of the Law, preaching his first sermon to his five disciples, and so set the Dharma in motion.
Sarnath holds the great Dhamek Stupa that marks the spot, the ancient ruins and the museum with the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka that is the emblem of India, and the beautiful temples raised by the Buddhist nations of the world.
Sarnath
The deer park itself, and the complete guide to the site and its ruins.
Dhamek Stupa
The great stupa marking where the Buddha gave his first sermon.
Mulagandha Kuti Vihar
The modern vihara with its beautiful frescoes of the Buddha's life.
Chaukhandi Stupa
The stupa marking where the Buddha met his five disciples.
Sarnath Archaeological Museum
Home of the original Lion Capital of Ashoka, India's emblem.
Vishwa Shanti Stupa
The peace stupa that crowns the Sarnath skyline.
Thai Temple
The Thai monastery and its great standing Buddha.
Tibetan Temple
The Tibetan monastery, of the prayer wheels and thangkas.
Japanese Temple
The Japanese temple of Sarnath, quiet and spare.
Chinese Temple
The Chinese Buddhist temple raised beside the deer park.
Burmese Temple
The Burmese monastery, of the golden Myanmar style.
The heritage of Kashi
Kashi keeps its heritage too: the great Bharat Kala Bhavan, the art and history museum at the Banaras Hindu University; the Ramnagar Fort, the palace of the Maharaja of Banaras across the river; the Bharat Mata Mandir, the temple of Mother India with her marble-relief map; the beautiful wooden Nepali temple; and the birthplace-temple of the saint Ravidas.
Bharat Kala Bhavan
The great art and history museum at the Banaras Hindu University.
Ramnagar Fort
The riverside palace-fort of the Maharaja of Banaras.
Bharat Mata Mandir
The temple of Mother India, with a marble-relief map of the land.
Nepali Temple (Kathwala)
The beautiful wooden Nepali-style temple by the Ganga.
Guru Ravidas Birthplace Temple
The birthplace-temple of the great saint Ravidas.
Lolark Kund
The ancient solar kund, sought for the boon of children.
Mahashivratri and Dev Deepawali
Kashi's greatest days are two above all. Mahashivratri, the great night of Shiva, is the supreme festival of the city of Shiva, when Kashi Vishwanath is thronged through the night.
And Dev Deepawali, the Diwali of the Gods, fifteen days after Diwali on the full moon of Kartik, is Kashi's own spectacular festival, when every one of the ghats along the Ganga is lit with countless earthen lamps, and the whole riverfront becomes a river of light, a sight beyond describing. Ask us for the dates and plan well ahead; these are the most beautiful and the busiest times to come.
Planning your visit to Varanasi
October to March is the pleasant season; Dev Deepawali (November) and Mahashivratri (February to March) are the greatest and busiest days; avoid the peak summer heat.
By air to Varanasi (Lal Bahadur Shastri) airport; by rail to Varanasi Junction and the other stations, a great railway hub; by road from Prayagraj (about 120 km), Lucknow and Ayodhya.
Two to three days for Kashi Vishwanath, the ghats and the Ganga aarti, the main temples and Sarnath; more for the Panchkroshi and a fuller visit.
A dawn boat ride on the Ganga past the ghats, and the evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh.
Varanasi pairs naturally with Ayodhya and Prayagraj in one great pilgrimage.
For Varanasi, or a combined Kashi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj pilgrimage planned end to end, see our tour packages. See tour packages.
Our Varanasi tours and the three-city pilgrimage
We are a Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj based operator, a unit of Experience My India, with more than forty years of guiding pilgrims across all three holy cities, and our own local guides and pandits in Varanasi. Darshan everywhere is free; what we offer is the whole of it made smooth, meaningful and complete.
Varanasi darshan tour
Kashi Vishwanath, the ghats, the Ganga aarti, the main temples and Sarnath, with a guide. Two to three days.
Dawn boat and Ganga aarti
The sunrise boat on the Ganga and the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh, with a guide.
Dev Deepawali / Mahashivratri
Kashi at its great festivals, with darshan and all arrangements.
Experience My India is a travel operator, not the temples' administration. Darshan is free; our charge is only for guiding, transport, boats, the pandit and services. Inclusions and exclusions are stated up front, and no charge appears later that was not named. Timings, dates and rules are set by the temples and authorities and can change.
The eternal city, in my own words
Kashi is my own city, and I have guided pilgrims here for more than forty years, and I love it beyond words. I always begin with a dawn boat on the Ganga, when the sun rises over the river and the whole sweep of the ghats comes alight; there is nothing like it on earth. Then I take my guests to seek the leave of Kaal Bhairav, the Kotwal of Kashi, and to the darshan of Baba Vishwanath, our Jyotirlinga, now so beautiful with the new corridor down to the river.
From there the whole city opens: the Bhairavs and the Devi, the Annapurna who feeds us all, Sankat Mochan of our Tulsidas, the countless Mahadevs; and always, in the evening, the great Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh. And I take my guests to Manikarnika, and I explain, gently, why people come from all over the world to die and be cremated in Kashi: because here, by the grace of Shiva, the soul is set free.
And I take them out to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, and to our great Dev Deepawali, when a million lamps turn the ghats to a river of light. In more than forty years of guiding, sharing Kashi, the eternal city of Lord Shiva, with those who come to it is the great work and joy of my life.
The three holy cities: Kashi, Ayodhya and Prayag
Varanasi is one of the three great holy cities of the region, and pilgrims most often visit all three together in one journey.
Frequently asked questions
What is Varanasi famous for?+
The Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, the Ganga ghats and the evening Ganga aarti, Manikarnika and the belief that dying in Kashi grants moksha, and its countless temples; and Sarnath nearby, where the Buddha first taught. It is one of the oldest living cities on earth.
What is Kashi Vishwanath?+
The temple of Vishwanath, the Lord of the Universe, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the holiest temple of Shiva; the heart of the Varanasi pilgrimage, now with its grand new corridor to the Ganga.
What is the Ganga aarti in Varanasi?+
The grand evening ritual of worship to Mother Ganga at Dashashwamedh Ghat, with rows of priests raising great flaming lamps to the river; a gentler aarti is offered at Assi Ghat.
What are the main ghats of Varanasi?+
Dashashwamedh (the Ganga aarti), Assi, Manikarnika (cremation and moksha), Harishchandra, Panchganga, Kedar, Man Mandir, Tulsi and many more, along miles of the riverfront.
Why do people come to die in Varanasi?+
It is believed that to die and be cremated in Kashi, above all at Manikarnika, grants moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth and death, by the grace of Shiva.
What is Sarnath?+
The deer park near Varanasi where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon, one of the four holiest Buddhist sites, with the Dhamek Stupa, the museum of the Lion Capital, and international temples.
What is Dev Deepawali?+
Kashi's own festival of lights, fifteen days after Diwali, when every ghat along the Ganga is lit with countless lamps and the whole riverfront becomes a river of light.
How many days do I need in Varanasi?+
Two to three days for Kashi Vishwanath, the ghats and the Ganga aarti, the main temples and Sarnath; more for a fuller visit or the Panchkroshi.
How do I reach Varanasi?+
By air to the Varanasi (Lal Bahadur Shastri) airport, by rail to Varanasi Junction, or by road from Prayagraj (about 120 km), Lucknow and Ayodhya.
Can I visit Ayodhya and Prayagraj too?+
Yes; Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj are usually visited together in one great three-city pilgrimage, which we plan end to end.
Visiting Varanasi?
Our guided packages bundle VIP darshan, a local guide, stays, and private transport across the whole circuit — so you spend the day at the temple, not in queues.
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